FAN discusses county drug court options

Members of the community contemplating the start of a drug court in Chippewa County heard some of the successes of a county court in the region.

Several members of the Cheboygan County drug court made a presentation to more than 40 people who attended the Families Against Narcotics (FAN) Wednesday evening.

“One of our long term goals is to possibly have a drug court in Chippewa County,” said FAN President Lisa Gauthier. “We have invited some key personnel from our community — a couple of judges and the prosecutor’s office.”

Darlene McKinley, case manager for the Cheboygan County drug court, told the group when the court was first formed in her county, they did not have any idea on how they were going to do it. However, after being trained, the group decided to make it a felony drug court that has high risk offenders.

“We got tired of seeing the same ones (violators) over and over,” she said.

However, she cautioned that designers of the court have to be flexible.

“It changes,” she said of the design of the court. “What you start out with is not what you will end up with.”

Chippewa County Commissioners Donald McLean and George Kinsella were in attendance and told the group they favored the start-up of a drug court.

“The county has had drug court on its list of goals for years,” said McLean. “Its all about the money.”

Kinsella agreed and added, “If anywhere a drug court could be done, it can be done here.”

Sault Police Chief John Riley said he had some doubts.

“I came here skeptical,” he said. “From what I have heard here, I think it can work.”

50th Circuit Court Chief Judge James Lambros said it is a good idea to consider.

“I am open to it,” he said. “We need to stop the madness. I will take the initiative if I have to.”

After the meeting, Lambros added he will help further the cause and hopes it could work in the county.

However, Chippewa County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Peppler said his office will need more resources before he could back doing a drug court.

“The issue is a matter of resources,” he said. “Without the financial backing of the county, it will be difficult to do. … I don’t have the resources right now.”

Peppler did add drug use is a problem in the county.

“I have been fighting this issue for a long time,” he said. “The numbers say we have an average of three overdoses a week at our hospital.”

McKinley said there are four phases to complete for those who enter drug court. The first phase lasts at least 90 days and some of the requirements include meeting a case manager for three days a week, attend drug court once a week and submit to urine screening three days a week. Their curfew also is set at 9 p.m.

The second phase of drug court entails meeting with the case manager at least two times a week, attend drug court every other week and urine screening once a week. This phase lasts at least six months and curfew is 10 p.m.

In Phase 3, the six-month phase includes things like meeting with the case manager twice a week, attend drug court once a month, random home visits, have all fines and costs related to drug court paid or arrangements made and either being employed, actively seeking employment or enrolled in a vocational training/educational program.

The last phase is at least four months long and includes meeting with a case manager monthly, attend drug court once a month, submit to random urine screenings and be clean and sober for at least nine straight months.

However, to even be considered for drug court Cheboygan County Prosecuting Attorney Darrell Vizina said potential participants must be willing to plead guilty to all counts against them without any stipulations.

Those who fail drug court are sent back for sentencing on their original charges.

McKinley told those in attendance that drug court is not easy for either the participants or those running it.

“Most of the time, people will relapse,” she said. “It is frustrating. If they relapse, they have to restart the phase they are in.”

Vizina agreed.

“Realistically, this is not for the faint of heart,” he said. “It is a process. We try to get them pointed in the right direction.”

Vizina and McKinley said support is needed from the community and the people who work with it daily need to be committed to it.